1960-61
What rises must fall, Montreal had battered their way to 5 straight Stanley Cups. The arguably greatest NHL team of all time though was going through changes. Maurice Richard had retired ending an era, but even with that the Habs sill looked to be immensely strong. Boom Boom Geoffrion had equalled Richard's record of 50 goals in a season and lead the league in scoring with 93 points. Doug Harvey had a Norris Trophy type of season.
However he loss of Richard created a leadership vacuum and small cracks started to appear. Boom Boom wanted the Captaincy and when the C went to Jean Beliveau he made his displeasure public. Beliveau lacked Richards fire and the leadership vacuum grew.
Meanwhile both the Hawks and Leafs were on the upswing. The Hawks were sparked by Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull. The LEafs were lead by Frank Mahovlich and Johnny Bower.
Late in the season it looked like the Leafs were headed for first place and had a 6 point lead, but the Habs went on a rampage in the last weeks of the season and the Habs beat them by 2 points for the regular season crown. But the push exhausted the Habs who were targeting a 6th straight cups.
The Habs also had the misfortune to run into the Hawks in the opening round. the Hawks were young, fast, skilled and Hawks coach Rudy Pilous knew that the Habs were tired and implemented a simple game plan called "Operation beat the sh$t out the Habs star players". The Hawks had an edge in ill tempered players lead by Reg Fleming, Jack Evans and Pierre Pilote. The Hawks hit every thing that moved, and wore out the Habs, and their vaunted speed was reduced to a crawl.
6 games later the bruised and battered Habs saw an end to their Dynasty. The Hawks then went on and mopped the Ice with the Wings.
In the Hawks dressing room there was no real celebration, no popping of champagne bottles. Jim Norris of the Hawks had refused to order any, he didn't want to curse the team.
The room was quit, when Reg Fleming was asked why he stated "That it had been so long for most of the boys that they just don't know how to celebrate" Meanwhile Glenn Hall told reporters that he was "Too tired to scream".
Trivia
- The CNE and the NHL reach an agreement to build a Hall of Fame building on the CNE grounds.
- The Hall of Fame inducts George Boucher, Sylvin Mantha, Frank Selke and Jack Walker.
- Vic Stasiuk is traded from the Bruins to Detroit for Murray Oliver. Stasiuk joins the Production Line with Howe and Delvecchio.
- On Nov 27, 1961 Gordie Howe joins the 1,000 point club.
- On Jan 16, 1961 Glenn Hall plays his 500th straight game.
- Montreal finishes 2 points ahead of the Leafs with a 41-19-10 record.
- Montreal's Boom Boom Geoffrion finishes first with 50 goals and leads the NHL in scoring with 95 points.
- Toronto's Johnny Bower leads the league with a 2.50 gaa.
- Chicago's Pierre Pilot leads the league in penalties with 165 PIM, his team mate Reggie Fleming is second with 145 minutes.
- Wayne Gretzky is born on Jan 26 in Brantford Ontario.
- The Playoffs feature Montreal against the Hawks and Detroit vs Toronto.
- Detroit mops up Toronto in 5 games behind the goaltending of Terry Sawchuk.
- After the Habs blowout the Hawks 6-2 in game one, the Hawks beat the crap out of the Habs to win in 6 games.
- In game 3 Montreal coach goes ballistic over a lack of calls and attacks referee Dalton McArthur and is fined $2500.00.
- Chicago and Detroit meet in the finals for the first time since 1934.
- The Hawks roll to the Stanley Cup in 6 games to win their first championship since 1938.
- Montreal's Bernie Geoffrion wins the first Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in scoring. He also takes home the Hart Trophy.
- Red Kelly of Toronto wins the Lady Byng.
- Johnny Bower of the Leafs wins the Vezina Trophy.
- Dave Keon of Toronto wins the Calder Trophy.
- Canadian's defenseman Doug Harvey wins the Norris Trophy.
- Detroit wins its second straight NCAA championship dumping St Lawrence in the finals.
- Paul Coffey is born on June 1 in Weston, Ontario.
Debuts
Last games